< <  

Monday, August 31, 2009

  > >
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 11-13
Luke 4:16-30

View Readings
Similar Reflections

doing what you hatebecause of who you love

"The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me; therefore He has anointed Me. He has sent Me to bring glad tidings to the poor." —Luke 4:18

Luke writes of Jesus' first day on the job to interest us in taking the job of working for the harvest. Jesus ministers the word — preaching, teaching, and prophesying. He preaches good news to the poor, sets captives free, gives sight to the blind, and release to prisoners (Lk 4:18).

Will you take the job? Incidentally, there's no set salary for this job. Jesus provides for your basic needs. You must trust Him daily for your bread. Also, the working conditions leave much to be desired. Although some speak favorably of you and marvel at your appealing discourse (Lk 4:22), many reject Jesus, you, and the gospel.

At the end of Jesus' first day on the job they threw Him out of town, and attempted to throw Him over a cliff (Lk 4:30). If they treat the Master like that, imagine how they'll persecute you, the servants (Jn 15:20). Will you take the job? "The harvest is good but laborers are scarce" (Mt 9:37), and you can see why.

The reason we work for Jesus is to work with Jesus. Why does a young girl work on cars? To be with her boyfriend. Why does a guy do house cleaning? To do it with his girlfriend. Why do we suffer and work for Jesus? To be with Jesus.

Prayer:  Jesus, may I do anything just to be with You.

Promise:  "Then we, the living, the survivors, will be caught up with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air." —1 Thes 4:17

Praise:  Marie hated going to church as a girl. She encountered Jesus, and now goes even to adoration between Masses.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our leaflet, Living in Reality, or our four-tape audio series starting with AV 38-1 or two-tape video series starting with V-38.)

Rescript:  †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, February 11, 2009

The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.